Oct. 12 (UPI) --Pope Francis accepted the resignation Friday of Catholic U.S. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who was named in a grand jury investigation that detailed incidents of child sex abuse.

Wuerl, who'd served as a bishop in Pittsburgh, came under fire when he was named in the Aug. 14 grand jury report that accused Catholic leaders of covering up past cases of abuse. It named more than 300 priests.

In a letter accepting the resignation Friday, Francis said Wuerl has "nobility" and said he would continue leading the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C, on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found.